Carolinians more angry at Congress than Obama

AP

February 26, 2010 10:10:09 AM PST

RALEIGH --

Elon University is the latest organization to release a poll on how North Carolinians feel about President Barack Obama and the job he's doing. But, the school went a step further and looked at how voters feel about Congress.

Elon surveyed about 500 residents to get its data.

According to the poll released Friday, President Obama’s favorability rating stands at 53 percent in North Carolina, while 41 percent view him unfavorably. A whopping 75 percent say they disapprove of the way Congress is doing its job.

When asked, the overwhelming majority listed the economy as the number one issue facing the state.

Partisan bickering and inaction on the national deficit and other issues like healthcare reform have topped the national headlines for months, and it seems voter dissatisfaction with Washington is running high.

Elon's numbers are close to what other polling organizations have found. According to research by the conservative leaning Civitas Institute earlier this month, Obama scores a 52 percent favorable rating, while 37 percent view him unfavorably. About 10 percent had no opinion.

Meanwhile, both Civitas and the left leaning Public Policy Polling said recent research shows North Carolina voters continue to lean slightly toward the GOP for this year's elections. PPP said party leads 44-41 on the generic ballot for both Congress and the legislature in research released earlier this month.

Civitas said when asked generically if they preferred a Republican or Democratic candidate for Congress, North Carolina voters supported Republicans by a 41-39 margin.